NEW YORK, February 28, 2011 - Graduate students Joana Costa Knufinke and Kristin Vorce are joint recipients of the 2011 Oscar Dystel Fellowship, announced the Master of Science in Publishing program at the New York University School of Continuing and Professional Studies (NYU-SCPS).

The Dystel Fellowship—named for Oscar Dystel, a legendary leader in the publishing industry and former CEO and chairman of Bantam Books—consists of tuition scholarships awarded each year to outstanding graduate students in publishing. The Fellowship recipients were selected by members of the award committee, all distinguished professionals in the publishing community

“We typically present the Oscar Dystel Fellowship to one student, but this year the committee was so impressed with the candidacy of both Joana and Kristin that they elected to present a Fellowship to each of these highly qualified students. Joana and Kristin have both demonstrated a strong command of their publishing studies as well as innovation and creativity in their dedication to careers in the book industry,” said Andrea Chambers, director of the M.S. in Publishing program, one of 15 specialized Master’s degree programs offered at NYU-SCPS. “These remarkable students have not only mastered book industry fundamentals, but have also shown a deep understanding of digital media. They exemplify the high standards and academic rigor of students within our program.”

“Joana and Kristin are both gifted and talented individuals whose refreshing ideas and viewpoints promise to bring new energy to publishing. I am sure that they will take what they learn in the program and do great things in our industry,” said Jane Dystel, a well-respected literary agent, president of Dystel & Goderich Literary Management, chair of the Fellowship Committee, and Oscar Dystel’s daughter.

The Master of Science in Publishing program (www.scps.nyu.edu/mspub) at the NYU School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers a graduate degree designed to prepare industry professionals for positions in book, magazine, and digital media companies. From traditional to online media, the program provides the knowledge and expertise for success in an era of media convergence. Classes, taught by outstanding publishing professionals, are held in the evening and emphasize the leading-edge editing, marketing and branding, circulation and distribution, advertising, business development, and digital skills needed to advance and excel in the industry.

About Joana Costa Knufinke
Costa Knufinke, joint recipient of the Dystel Fellowship, is sponsored in the M.S. in Publishing program by the Fulbright Program in Spain and The Spanish Ministry of Education. In her native Spain, she is a PhD candidate at The University of Barcelona. Costa Knufinke is currently working as a marketing and sales intern at Vintage /Anchor Books, a division of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group at Random House, Inc. Before coming to the United States, Costa Knufinke pursued a publishing career in Barcelona, first as an intern at the Pontas Film and Literary Agency, and then as an editor of children’s and young adult books for RBA Libros S.A. She envisions a career as a publisher of fiction in either Spain or New York and also plans to pursue teaching opportunities, imparting to future publishing professionals the educational opportunities she has received at The Center for Publishing at NYU-SCPS.

About Kristin Vorce
Vorce, joint recipient of the Oscar Dystel Fellowship, is a project editor in the professional/trade division of John Wiley &Sons, Inc. where she edits nonfiction manuscripts and manages book schedules and standards. A Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The University of Delaware, she began her publishing career as an intern at The News Journal in Wilmington, DE, reporting a front-page story on her first day. In 2008 she moved to New York from her native Maryland to become an account coordinator at Bender/Helper Impact and was later hired by John Wiley & Sons as an editorial assistant. Vorce’s long-term career goals include achieving a publishing position in either professional or trade books and employing creative digital initiatives to deliver customized content on multiple platforms.

About the NYU School of Professional Studies

Established in 1934, the NYU School of Professional Studies (sps.nyu.edu) is one of NYU's several degree-granting schools and colleges, each with a unique academic profile. The reputation of the School of Professional Studies arises from its place as the NYU home for study and applied research related to key knowledge-based industries where the New York region leads globally. This is manifest in the School's diverse graduate, undergraduate, and Professional Pathways programs in fields such as Accounting, Finance, and Law; Applied Health; Arts, Design, and Film; Creative Cities and Economic Development; English-Language Learning; Entrepreneurship; Fundraising and Grantmaking; Global Affairs; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Human Resource Management and Development; Languages and Humanities; Management and Systems; Marketing; Project Management; Public Relations and Corporate Communication; Publishing; Real Estate, Real Estate Development, and Construction Management; Sports Management, Media, and Business; Translation; and Writing.

More than 100 distinguished full-time faculty members collaborate with an exceptional cadre of practitioner/adjunct faculty members and lecturers to create a vibrant professional and academic environment that educates over 5,000 degree-seeking students from around the globe each year. In addition, the School fulfills the recurrent professional education needs of local, national, and international economies, as evidenced by nearly 28,000 Professional Pathways enrollments in Career Advancement Courses and Diploma Programs. The School's community is enriched by more than 31,000 degree-holding alumni worldwide, many of whom serve as mentors, guest speakers, and advisory board members. For more information about the NYU School of Professional Studies, visit sps.nyu.edu.